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NYT Strands game #539, for Sunday, August 24, 2025, has the theme clue “Plug your ears.” The spangram is HUBBUB. Spoilers for the full answer set follow.
Hints for Strands #539
- The theme clue is “Plug your ears.”
- Think of words connected to loudness, noisy sounds or commotion.
- The spangram names a noisy commotion.
Spangram and answers
Spangram: HUBBUB
Theme words:
- BLASTING
- BOISTEROUS
- BOOMING
- LOUD
- NOISY
- STRIDENT
How the words fit the theme
The six theme words describe loudness or noisy commotion. BOISTEROUS and STRIDENT can describe loud people; BLASTING, BOOMING, LOUD and NOISY point to loud sounds or volume. HUBBUB is the spangram that brings the commotion together.
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Answer spelling note
The correct final theme word is STRIDENT. The Strands Solution archive and TechRadar give that spelling; Forbes lists “STRIDEN,” which appears to be a typo.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
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